Two-day Rashid endurance festival kicks off today

Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: Two cars and prize money totalling Dh700,000 will be up for grabs in the two-day Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge Festival starting today at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Adnan Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club said, "The first day will see some of the top women riders compete in a 90-kilometre national ride while on the second day an FEI Two-star ride over 120 kilometres will see all the top riders in the open category compete."

The ladies' ride will be over four loops of 30 kilometres, 24 kilometres, 20 kilometres and 16 kilometres while the FEI Open Ride will be run over 32 kilometres, 28 kilometres, 24 kilometres, 20 kilometres and 16 kilometres.

Support

Ali Al Muhairi, Racing Manager of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, who also addressed the press conference said: "This is an annual event and Shaikh Hamdan has always been a strong supporter of endurance races all over the UAE."

Talal Al Hashemi, of Abu Dhabi Sports Council said, "We have seen a lot of events in the UAE for ladies and this is another event which will give an opportunity to all sections of the community."

Fatima Hussain, a representative of Bonyan International Investment Group and Lara Sawaya, Managing Director of Tasweeq also attended the press conference.

Sawaya said the Challenge ride for ladies is jointly sponsored by Bonyan International Investment Group, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge Festival while the open ride is sponsored by Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge Festival 2010.



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